Alabama Power Foundation – Champion Grants (2027)

Grants of Up to $5,000 for High School Math and Science Education, Teacher Development, and Classroom Technology

The Alabama Power Foundation’s Champion Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 to Alabama public school teachers working to improve student achievement in mathematics and science. The program supports collaborative teacher teams in grades 9–11, funding professional development, instructional resources, and classroom technology that prepare students for college and career success.

Priority is given to Title I schools, schools serving significant populations of students from low-income households, and schools within Alabama Power’s service territory.

The first 2027 application cycle opens February 22 and closes March 12, 2027.

Organization: Alabama Power Foundation
Support Type: Corporate foundation education grants
Geographic Focus: Alabama, with preference for Alabama Power service territory
Funding Amount: Up to $5,000
Application Deadline: March 12, 2027

About the Funder

The Alabama Power Foundation is the charitable foundation associated with Alabama Power, an electric utility serving communities throughout Alabama.

Established in 1989, the Foundation invests in educational advancement, community development, arts and culture, health and human services, and environmental stewardship.

Through its education grant programs, the Foundation helps Alabama schools strengthen teaching, expand access to instructional resources, and improve student outcomes.

Champion Grants specifically focus on high school mathematics and science education, with an emphasis on preparing students for college and future careers.

What This Program Supports

Champion Grants fund coordinated investments in teacher development, instructional resources, and classroom technology.

Teacher Professional Development

Professional development is a required component of every Champion Grant proposal.

Participating teachers must select professional learning opportunities focused on improving student achievement in mathematics and/or science.

Examples include:

• Professional development workshops
• Mathematics and science conferences
• Instructional coaching
• Content-specific training
• Peer review and instructional feedback
• Collaborative professional learning teams
• Ongoing training in effective teaching strategies

Professional development should emphasize sustained learning, instructional improvement, and measurable student achievement.

Instructional Resources

Funding may support materials that improve classroom instruction and student engagement.

Examples include:

• Mathematics instructional materials
• Science learning resources
• ACT mathematics and science preparation materials
• Supplemental academic resources
• Educational software
• Materials that support differentiated instruction

Classroom Technology

Grants may also support technology that improves mathematics and science instruction.

Examples include:

• iPads and laptops
• SMART Boards
• Graphing calculators
• Digital microscopes
• Educational software
• Other technology supporting mathematics and science learning

Technology requests should demonstrate a clear connection to student learning outcomes.

College & Career Readiness

The program emphasizes preparing students for postsecondary education and future careers.

Projects may incorporate:

• College readiness initiatives
• ACT mathematics and science preparation
• Career-connected STEM instruction
• Academic skill development
• Strategies that strengthen student achievement in mathematics and science

Eligible Support Types

Champion Grants support three connected components:

1. Professional Development

All participating teachers must identify professional development focused on mathematics and/or science instruction.

Professional development must be included in every proposal, even when the selected training is available at no cost.

2. Instructional Resources

Funding may support materials that improve teaching effectiveness, student engagement, and understanding of mathematics or science concepts.

3. Classroom Technology

Technology purchases must directly support the proposed instructional goals and anticipated student achievement outcomes.

Applicants should explain how these components work together to strengthen student learning.

Eligibility & Preferences

Eligible applicants are:

• Public school teachers serving students in grades 9–11 in Alabama
• Grade-level teacher teams
• Subject-area teacher teams focused on mathematics and/or science

Teachers must apply collaboratively as a team rather than as individual educators.

Teacher Collaboration

The Foundation encourages teachers to work together across grade levels and subject areas.

However, each proposal must identify one primary student grade level that will benefit from the grant.

Participating teachers should demonstrate a commitment to:

• Collaboration
• Professional growth
• Peer support
• Improving mathematics and science instruction
• Measuring student achievement

Priority Consideration

Priority is given to:

• Title I public schools
• Schools where at least 50% of full-time students receive free or reduced-price meals
• Schools within Alabama Power’s service territory

Geographic Eligibility

Eligible State: Alabama

The program serves eligible public school teacher teams throughout Alabama.

Schools located within Alabama Power’s electric service territory receive preference.

Ineligible Requests

Champion Grants are not available for:

• Non-school organizations
• Private elementary or secondary schools
• Projects unrelated to mathematics or science achievement
• Proposals that do not directly support improved student achievement in mathematics and/or science

Professional development is mandatory, so applications focused exclusively on purchasing equipment without a professional development component do not meet program requirements.

Awards are made directly to schools, not individual teachers or nonprofit organizations.

Recipient schools must hold tax-exempt status and comply with the Foundation’s nondiscrimination requirements.

Funding Amounts

Maximum Grant: $5,000

Champion Grants provide up to $5,000 per award.

Funding may support professional development, instructional resources, and classroom technology aligned with the proposed project.

The Foundation does not specify a minimum grant amount or a matching funds requirement.

Applicants should provide a detailed budget showing how requested funds will support the project’s educational objectives.

Timeline & Review

📅 First Application Cycle Opens: February 22, 2027

📅 First Application Deadline: March 12, 2027

📅 Second Application Cycle Opens: August 2, 2027

📅 Second Application Deadline: September 3, 2027

The Foundation offers two Champion Grant application cycles annually.

Applications are reviewed for compliance with program guidelines and alignment with the program’s educational priorities.

When time permits, applicants may be contacted to correct or revise application materials before the deadline.

Important: Applications submitted on the final day cannot be modified if problems are identified during review.

Applicants are encouraged to submit early.

Application / Request Process

Applications must be submitted through the Alabama Power Foundation’s online grant application system.

Applicants should prepare the following information.

School Information

• School name, address, and district
• Total student enrollment
• Percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price meals
• Principal’s years at the school
• Principal’s total years of experience in that role
• Principal’s highest educational attainment

Teacher Team Information

• Contact information for all participating teachers
• Target grade level
• Number and percentage of students expected to benefit
• Description of the team’s collaborative approach

Professional Development Plan

Applicants must identify:

• Professional development topic
• Training provider
• Cost
• Dates
• Connection to mathematics and/or science achievement

Project Description & Evaluation

Applicants should explain:

• How grant funds will be used
• How professional development will improve instruction
• How instructional resources or technology will support student learning
• Anticipated benefits for teachers and students
• Methods for measuring improvements in student achievement

Project Budget

A detailed budget must identify proposed expenditures and demonstrate alignment with program goals.

Apply / Learn More:

➡️ https://www.powerofgood.com/grants/champion

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is particularly well suited for:

• Alabama public high schools seeking to improve mathematics and science achievement
• Teacher teams developing collaborative STEM instruction
• Title I schools with limited professional development budgets
• Schools seeking graphing calculators, digital microscopes, or educational technology
• Teachers implementing ACT preparation strategies
• Schools connecting mathematics and science instruction to college and career readiness
• Educators who can demonstrate measurable student learning outcomes

The Alabama Power Foundation’s Champion Grant Program provides targeted funding for collaborative teacher teams seeking to strengthen high school STEM instruction.

By combining professional development with classroom resources and technology, the program helps schools build instructional capacity while improving educational opportunities for students.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Competitive application review
First 2027 Deadline: March 12, 2027
Second 2027 Deadline: September 3, 2027
Maximum Award: $5,000
Matching Funds: No requirement specified
Geographic Restriction: Alabama, with preference for Alabama Power service territory
Eligible Applicants: Public school teacher teams serving grades 9–11
Priority Schools: Title I schools and schools where at least 50% of students receive free or reduced-price meals
Required Component: Teacher-selected professional development focused on mathematics and/or science
Best Suited For: High school STEM teacher teams seeking professional development, instructional resources, and classroom technology
Application Strategy: Develop a collaborative teacher proposal, identify appropriate professional development, demonstrate measurable student outcomes, and submit before the final day of the application window.